An incident at WestGreen Park in Peoria, Arizona, has shocked the community, as a mother of four, Brandie Gotch, has been charged with attempted murder following a disturbing altercation. The incident occurred on Tuesday when Gotch allegedly drove her white Chevy Silverado, with her four children inside, towards a group of children in the park, ultimately running over a girl whom she accused of bullying her daughter at school.
According to court documents and reports from AZ family, the situation escalated quickly as Gotch, in a fit of rage, targeted the children at the park. Prior to the reckless act, she allegedly confronted a 14-year-old boy, pulling his hair and menacingly threatening him with a sharp stick she had retrieved from her truck. Witnesses reported hearing her yell, “I am going to kill you and run you over.”
The confrontation didn’t stop there. Gotch claimed that her children had been subjected to bullying at school and that the harassment continued at the park. She recounted witnessing the group throwing wood chips at her children and even physically assaulting her daughter. When she intervened, she was met with derogatory insults from the group, further escalating the situation.
Video footage captured part of the altercation, showing Gotch grabbing the boy by the hair and chasing after him with the stick. Despite her aggressive actions, Gotch denied making any direct threats, although her behavior clearly indicated otherwise.
As tensions mounted, Gotch allegedly retreated to her truck, where her children were waiting, and proceeded to accelerate towards the playground area where the children were gathered. In a horrifying turn of events, she ran over a girl’s ankle before fleeing the scene, leaving the injured child behind.
The severity of the incident led to Gotch being apprehended later that day at her home and subsequently charged with attempted first-degree murder. Additional charges included six counts of endangerment, four counts of aggravated assault, and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Her bond was set at $250,000.
During interviews with detectives, Gotch expressed frustration over the ongoing bullying her children faced and claimed that her attempts to address the issue with both the school and law enforcement had been fruitless. However, her actions in response to the perceived injustice only exacerbated the situation, resulting in serious consequences for both herself and the victims involved.
The incident has prompted a broader conversation about the prevalence of bullying and the appropriate ways to address it within communities and educational institutions. While instances of bullying are undoubtedly concerning, resorting to violence and retaliation, as demonstrated by Gotch, only perpetuates the cycle of harm and puts innocent lives at risk.
Officer Zach Lekan of the Peoria Police Department emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, with interviews and witness statements still being processed. Despite the traumatic nature of the incident, none of the underage individuals involved have been publicly identified, underscoring the need to protect the privacy and well-being of all parties involved.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this disturbing event, it serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of addressing conflict and aggression through peaceful and constructive means. The safety and welfare of all individuals, especially children, must remain paramount, and efforts to foster empathy, understanding, and effective communication are crucial in preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future.
DailyMail.com has reached out to the police department and sheriff’s office for further information and comments regarding the ongoing investigation.